A focus on achieving measurable Net Positive impact, in particular, sets LPC apart from any other certification. Instead of looking to solely decrease the negative impacts of production, the program also asks creators of Living Products to go further and use creativity and ecological inspiration to create positive impacts. Said another way, instead of just shrinking your footprint, LPC asks manufacturers to create Handprints, or positive impacts versus business as usual. A product becomes Net Positive if its Handprint is larger than its Footprint.
Handprints must be real and measurable, and there are myriad ways to create them. They can result from engaging the users of products to use them in more ecologically-restorative ways. They can also result from a manufacturer sharing sustainable innovations with competitors or the market at large. Handprint benefits may even go beyond the boundaries of the life cycle of the Living Product, and the company itself, through collaborative efforts with other businesses and organizations to create positive impacts around the world.
While this Handbook provides insight into how manufacturers may document their Footprints and Handprints, readers should refer to the Handprinting Guide for a comprehensive introduction to the concept, step by step process for their creation and measurement, and inspiration through case studies.
